Kb  1 1 -g-rcS  ^[\%\ 

PAM 

^ CHINA 

TNB  WORLD’S 

•C^REAT  J^^IELD, 


BY  REV.  JOHN  POLLARD,  D.  D. 


Baltimore,  Md. 

MARYLAND  BAPTIST  MISSION  ROOM, 
10  te.  Fayette  Street. 


PRICE  TWO  CENTS. 


CHINA,  THE  WORLD’S  GREAT  MISSION 
FIELD. 


€HINA  is  sometimes  known  as  tne  Middle  King- 
dom, because  the  people  regard  it  as  the  cen- 
tre of  the  earth.  It  is  popularly  known  among 
Europeans  and  Americans  as  the  Celestial  Empire , 
because  the  Chinese  regard  their  country  as  an  em- 
pire ruled  over  by  a heavenly  dynasty.  Missionary 
endeavor  does  not  concern  itself  with  the  govern- 
ment of  China.  It  aims  to  turn  China  to  Christ,  and 
thus  bring  this  great  nation  into  the  enjoyment  of 
the  succors  and  hopes  of  the  Gospel.  We  want  Chi- 
na for  Christ.  This  is  the  result  we  seek,  this  the 
conquest  we  would  make.  An  army  proposing  to 
take  a fort  would  neglect  no  opportunity  to  get  the 
facts  about  the  stronghold  against  which  they  were 
about  to  march.  They  would  study  carefully  its 
topography,  its  garrison,  and  its  armament  in  order 
that  they  might  adopt  the  very  best  methods  of  at- 
tack, and  accurately  determine  the  probabilities  of 
success.  Marshalled  by  the  Lord  Jesus  to  see  what 
can  be  done  to  bring  China  in  subjection  to  his  Me- 
diatorial reign,  let  us  study  for  a few  moments  the 
task  assigned, — the  problem  that  confronts  us. 

1.  OEOGRAPHY. 


Mr.  Bainbridge,  in  his  “Around  the  World  Tour 
of  Christian  Missions,”  calls  attention  to  some  geo- 
graphical features  of  China  as  compared  with  those 
of  the  United  States.  The  resemblances  are  certain- 
ly noteworthy.  China  extends  from  about  25  de- 


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grees  north  latitude  to  45  north,  and  the  United 
States  lies  very  nearly  between  the  same  parallels. 
China  is  governed  through  a system  of  provinces,  as 
the  American  Union  is  governed  through  a system 
of  states.  China  owns  several  outlying  dependen- 
cies, such  as  Thibet,  Corea,  &c.,  which  correspond 
with  Utah,  Alaska  and  other  territories  in  their  re- 
lation to  the  United  States.  China’s  eastern  border 
looks  out  to  the  sea,  so  does  that  of  the  land  in  which 
we  dwell.  In  China  and  in  the  United  States  alike 
a greatriver  cuts  the  country  in  two,  only  the  Yang- 
ste-Kiang  divides  China  from  west  to  east,  while  the 
Mississippi  divides  the  United  States  from  north  to 
south.  The  Tangste-Kiang  and  the  Mississippi 
have  each  a large  city  near  their  mouth;  and  Shanghai 
may  be  regarded  as  the  New  Orleans  of  China. 
Mitchell’s  Atlas  of  the  World  puts  down  the  area  of 
China  and  that  of  the  United  States  as  nearly  the 
same,  each  having  over  3,500,000  square  miles. 

11.  POPULATION. 

China  is  inhabited  by  at  least  400,000,000  of  hu- 
man souls.  A recent  writer  says  : “Here  are  a third 
more  people  than  in  all  the  countries  of  Europe  to- 
gether; twice  as  many  as  in  the  four  continents  of 
North  and  South  America,  Africa  and  Oceanica.  If 
the  population  of  this  immense  empire  should  join 
hands  singly  in  an  unbroken  line,  they  would  reach 
ten  times  around  our  globe.  Let  them  march  before 
us  as  an  army  at  the  rate  of  thirty  miles  a day,  and 
the  days  will  become  weeks,  and  the  weeks  months, 
and  the  months  years,  yes,  twenty-three  long  years 


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may  pass,  before  the  tramp,  tramp  of  the  martial 
host  is  ended.  One  third  nearly  of  all  the  human 
race  is  Chinese  ; a third  of  all  for  whom  Christ  died, 
and  to  whom  the  Gospel  is  to  be  proclaimed;  a third 
of  all  in  whose  keeping  is  wrapt  up  the  future  of 
our  world;  a third  of  all  those  that  are  to  appear  at 
the  last  great  day  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Al- 
mighty God.  Of  this  vast  aggregation  of  human  be- 
ings only  one-tenth  are  reached  by  the  Gospel,  and 
thirty-three  thousand  of  them  are  passing  from  time 
into  eternity  every  day.”  What  Christian  heart  can 
contemplate  these  facts,  and  remain  unmoved? 

in.  RELIGION. 

The  religions  of  China  are  three : Confucianism 
Buddhism  and  Taonism.  The  first  is  really  more  a 
philosophy  than  a religion,  and  is  the  sole  belief  ot 
the  educated  classes.  It  has  much  to  do  with  this 
world  but  leaves  the  next  out  of  the  account.  Con- 
fucianism and  Taonism  are  indigenous,  but  Buddh  - 
ism  was  introduced  from  India.  This  last,  though 
once  very  potential, and  at  present  quite  wide-spread, 
is  fast  losing  its  influence  over  the  people.  At  one 
time  these  three  beliefs  held  a fierce  struggle  with 
each  other.  But  now  all  antagonism  has  ceased. 
Indeed,  it  is  not  now  unusual  for  all  three  faiths  to 
be  professed  by  the  same  person.  When  two  really 
polite  persons  meet,  the  question  is  asked,  “To  what 
sublime  religion  do  you  belong?”  If  it  be  found 
that  they  hold  different  beliefs,  each  proceeds  to  pro- 
nounce a eulogy,  noton  his  own  religion,  but  on  the 
religion  of  the  other,  and  at  last  they  part,  saying. 


5 

‘‘Religions  are  many,  reason  is  one,  we  are  all  broth- 
ers.” Here  we  have  a striking  proof of  the  religious 
indifferentism  of  tbe  Cbinaman.  We  all  allow  that 
neither  Confucianism,  nor  Buddhism,  nor  Taonism 
can  sive.  If  there  is  anyone  in  China  that  lives  up 
to  the  light  he  has — does  as  well  as  he  knows — no 
doubt  he  will  be  saved,  without  the  remedial  scheme 
proposed  in  the  gospels ; but  alas  for  China!  there  is 
no  such  soul  in  all  its  borders;  alas  for  the  worldl 
there  is  no  such  soul  in  all  its  limits.  Hence  the  ab- 
solute necessity  of  going  into  all  the  world  and  mak- 
ing known  to  every  creature  that  one  divine  plan 
by  which  atonement  is  made  for  sin  and  justification 
offered  to  the  sinner. 

IV.  THE  'WORK ACCOMPLISHED. 

The  statistics  of  non-Romanistic  missions  in  Chi- 
na for  1887  are  as  follows:  missionaries,  exclusive 
of  native  helpers  1,030 ; members  of  churches  32,260  ; 
pupils  in  schools  13,777;  contributions  by  native 
churches  $38,236.70.  These  statements  include 
work  of  American  Baptists;  but  let  us  look  particu- 
larly at  what  has  been  done  by  our  own  denomina- 
tion in  the  United  States.  American  Baptist  Mis- 
sionary Union,  in  1887':  churches  18,  members  1,516, 
missionaries  29,  helpers  73.  Southern  Baptist  Con- 
vention in  1888  : members  727,  missionaries  21,  help- 
ers 30,  contributions  $446.58.  A few  figures  will 
show  the  remaining  destitution  in  China.  The  most 
highly  favored  province  is  Fun-Kien.  It  has  a 
population  of  10,000,000,  and  has  60  missionaries,  or 


6 

1 preacher  of  the  gospel  to  167,000  souls.  The  same 
proportion  would  giye  Baltimore  not  quite  three  min- 
isters of  the  Gospel,  and  Richmond  one  minister  for 
not  quite  one-half  of  his  time.  The  least  favored 
province  is  Hunan,  which  has  a population  of  16,- 
000,000  without  one  missionary  living  among  them 

If  this  province  had  one  missionary  for  its  16,000,- 
000,  it  would  be  only  as  well  supplied  as  the  United 
States  would  be  if  we  had  but  four  ministers  in  the 
whole  extent  of  our  country. 

V.  £JJ\raOl7JiAGBM£^JVTS. 

Our  greatest  encouragement  is  that  God  has 
pledged  himself  to  give  to  Christ  “the  heathen  for 
his  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth 
for  his  possession.”  Alas ! that  our  faith  seizes  so 
feebly  this  inspiring  assurance.  But  God  is  constantly 
opening  to  us  other  sources  of  hope.  A few  years 
ago  China  was  to  the  Christian  church  a walled  city 
with  its  gate  firmly  closed  and  barred.  Now  we  see 
on  the  north,twelve  gates,  on  the  south, twelve  gates, 
on  the  east,  twelve  gates,  and  on  the  west,  twelve 
gates;  and  every  one  ofthem  swinging  back  to  give 
easy  entrance  to  the  Gospel  missionary.  Or  perhaps 
we  should  say  the  wall  itself  has  toppled,  and  now  lies 
as  flat  as  the  one  that  fell  in  by-gone  days  to  give 
Jericho  as  a possession  to  the  host  of  the  Lord. 

Early  in  this  year  the  Emperor  issued  an  edict, 
in  which  he  speaks  of  the  missionaries  as  “guests,’’ 
and  directs  that,  inasmuch  as  they  come  to  teach 
morals,  they  must  not  be  interfered  with.  Influen- 


7 

tial  mea  have  recently  sent  up  to  the  throne  a peti- 
tion, requesting  that  western  studies  be  added  to 
those  branches  that  must  be  pursued  by  all  seeRing 
degrees  and  promotion. 

During  the  last  ten  years  the  gain  in  converts  has 
been  120  per  cent,  over  the  entire  period  going  be- 
fore. 

Let  us  make  a mightier  effort  to  redeem  China. 
Let  us  pray  more,  give  more,  toil  more  with  refer- 
ence to  this  end.  As  goes  China,  so  goes  the  East, 
whether  for  Christ  or  against  Christ.  Let  us  be 
stimulated  to  greater  activity  by  the  noble  deeds  of 
others.  Last  year  the  China  Inland  Mission  called 
for  one  hundred  new  men.  Scores  responded  to  the 
call.  At  the  same  time  $50,000  was  asked  for  to 
meet  the  expenses  of  the  proposed  enlargement;  and 
eleven  persons  promptly  contributed  the  entire 
amount.  Let  God’s  people  only  begin  to  do  their 
duty,  and  soon  China  will  become  the  Celestial  Em- 
pire indeed, — reigned  over  by  a celestial  King,  and 
made  bright  by  a celestial  light. 


8 


FOOT-BINDING  IN  CHINA. 


Small  feet  among  the  women  of  China  are  a sign 
of  respectability,  and  although  there  is  no  law  for 
footbinding,  yet  it  is  an  iron  custom.  Missionaries 
who  have  lived  long  in  China  give  it  as  their  expe- 
rience that  this  cruel  custom  is  one  great  cause  of 
the  infanticide  throughout  this  vast  empire.  The 
ability  of  girls  to  earn  their  living  is  greatly  lessened 
by  this  practice,  and  parents  regard  their  girls  as 
useless  burdens,  except  for  the  money  to  be  obtained 
through  their  marriage.  There  is  no  prescribed 
age  at  which  the  process  of  binding  is  commenced) 
but  in  families  of  easy  circumstances  the  bandages 
are  put  on  as  soon  as  the  child  is  able  to  walk ; other- 
wise the  feet  are  permitted  to  grow  until  betroth - 
ment,  or  till  seven  or  eight  years  of  age.  The  whole 
operation  is  performed,  and  the  shape  maintained 
by  bandages.  A strip  of  muslin,  two  or  three  inches 
wide  and  two  or  three  feet  long,  is  bound  tightly 
about  the  foot  and  ankle,  commencing  at  the  big  toe  ^ 
winding  it  around  the  toes,  folded  down  about  the 
foot  and  heel,  drawing  the  heel  forward  toward  the 
toes,  thus  shortening  the  foot  and  forcing  the  ankle 
or  instep  up.  It  requires  about  eleven  years  of  such 


9 

binding  to  bring  the  foot  to  the  required  size,  and 
great  pain  and  suffering  is  occasioned  by  the  process. 
Little  girls  grow  pale,  thin  and  weak  under  the  or- 
deal. No  matter  how  low  the  family  in  the  social 
scale,  they  may  bind  the  daughter’s  feet  if  they  can 
afford  to  do  so.  Mrs.  B — , of  our  China  Mission, 
says:  “The  poor  girl  or  woman,  hobbling  along 
clutching  at  this  or  that  to  keep  herself  from  falling, 
or  leaning  with  one  hand  on  a cane,  and  the  other 
on  the  shoulder  of  a child,  or  led  by  a servant,  is  really 
a poor  cripple  for  life.  Even  some  of  those  who 
adopt  the  custom  for  their  daughters,  admit  its  evils, 
but  always  add : “It  is  our  custom  and  there  is  no 
help  for  it.” 

Missionaries  have  found  it  dilQcult  to  know  what 
to  do  with  this  deep-seated  custom.  One  says;  “I 
believe  the  most  beneficial  influence  can  be  exerted 
by  missionary  ladies  who  are  in  earnest  in  this  mat- 
ter.” 

A great  effort  has  been  made  to  abolish  the  prac- 
tice among  native  Christians.  A Chinese  expressed 
himself  thus  in  regard  to  it : “Now  I think  when  the 
I Holy  Spirit  comes  down  on  China,  giving  men  and 
I women  to  know  the  ‘Jesus  doctrines,’  this  custom  of 
binding  feet  will  of  itself  disappear.”  In  many 
! places  the  prejudice  is  giving  way,  and  there  is  great 
hope  that  the  introduction  of  Christianity  will  be- 
i come  effectual  to  remove  this  heathenish  custom. 
We  give  an  extract  of  a letter  from  one  of  the  socie- 
ty’s missionaries,  who  has  had  some  experience  in 
her  school : “Last  spring,  while  I was  visiting  the 


10 

Kung  Lung  school,  the  helper  there  spoke  against 
the  practice  of  foot-binding,  and  said  no  native  girl 
could  get  about,  to  accomplish  what  I did . I thought 
possibly  he  was  only  talking  for  effect,  so  the  next 
time  he  visited  the  school  to  see  his  betrothed,!  asked 
him,  in  the  presence  of  the  whole  school,  if  he 
would  like  his  betrothed  to  unbind  her  feet.  I knew 
the  girl  would  not  do  it,  but  thought  it  a fine  oppor- 
tunity to  test  the  man,  knowing  that  if  he  stood  up 
to  his  principles,  the  effect  would  be  good.  He  re- 
plied that  he  wouid  be  very  glad  to  have  her  unbind 
her  feet,  and  let  them  grow  according  to  the  will  of 
God.  I saw  the  girl  was  very  angry,  but  considered 
that  of  no  consequence,  as  her  conscience  was  not 
yet  educated  up  to  the  proper  point.  A few  days 
afterward  one  of  the  girls  unbound  her  feet  and  came 
to  ask  me  to  help  her  make  some  stockings.  I asked 
her  if  she  did  not  fear  her  family  would  punish  her, 
but  she  said  she  would  simply  let  them  do  so.  I 
know  she  has  will  enough  to  carry  her  through  any- 
thing, so  I helped  her  to  get  up  some  stockings  and 
large  shoes. 

“Several  others  of  the  girls  would  like  to  follow 
her  example  if  they  dared.  When  school  closed, 
there  was  one  girl  whom  we  thought  too  unpromis- 
ing to  retain  in  school.  We  sent  her  home,  but  the 
next  day  her  mother-in-law,  in  great  distress,  brought 
her  back,  saying  she  was  out  nursing,  and  already 
had  her  youngest  son  with  her;  her  eldest  son,  be- 
trothed to  this  girl,  was  put  out  to  pasture  cattle  for 
his  rice,  and  there  was  no  one  left  at  home  to  care 


11 

for  this  girl.  Her  husband  was  an  opium  smoker, 
who  did  nothing  but  beg  enough  to  get  his  opium. 
He  had  already  stolen  the  girl  from  her  once  and 
sold  her,  but  she  had  got  her  back  again,  and  she 
feared  if  we  did  not  keep  her,  he  would  get  her  again. 
Besides,  if  she  took  her  she  would  lose  the  place 
where  she  was  working,  for  they  would  not  let  her 
bring  the  girl  there.  I knew  all  these  circumstan- 
ces before,  but  since  our  school  is  not  an  institution 
for  mere  charitable  relief  of  poor  people,  I did  not 
think  the  girl  should  remain — she  seemed  too  stupid. 
Finally,  I made  a proposition  to  the  woman,  which  I 
had  not  the  faintest  idea  she  would  accept.  I told 
her  I would  take  her  and  do  the  best  I could  for  her 
personally,  provided  she  would  unbind  her  feet.  I 
was  surprised  beyond  measure  that  the  woman  con- 
sented to  this,  and  the  poor  girl  was  capable  of  grat- 
itude to  a degree  also  surprising.  I fixed  up  some 
stockings  and  shoes  for  her,  which  made  her  quite 
proud,  and  she  began  at  once  to  call  me  “mamma.” 
After  I had  her  feet  nicely  dressed  in  large  shoes  and 
stockings,  three  of  the  girls  begged  me  to  let  them 
unbind  their  feet.  I told  them  to  wait,  until  they 
could  talk  with  their  friends,  for  I feared  they  might 
afterwards  waver  in  their  purpose.  But  we  feel  that 
a beginning  has  been  made — small  though  it  be — in 
the  right  direction.  This  whole  section  of  country 
has  not  one  native  woman  with  natural  feet.  We 
have  connected  with  our  work,  eight  girls  who  are 
allowing  their  feet  to  grow. 


Selected. 


PUBLICATIONS 

OF  ^ 

MAEYLAND  BAPTIST  MISSION  ECOM. 


CTS. 

Catalogue  of  Missionary  Leaflets 5 

Prayer  Cards  (per  hundred) 50 

Quarterly  Programs  (per  hundred) 50 

Conversion  of  Alberto  J.  Diaz,  Dr.  I.  T.  Tichenor.  2 
Unredeemed  Italy,  Rev.  Geo.  Braxton  Taylor. ...  2 
The  Field  and  Work  of  the  Home  Board, 

Dr.  J.  Wm.  Jones .free 

Our  Next  Door  Neighbor — Mexico, 

Rev.  H.  P.  McCormick 2 

A Southern  Crisis,  Rev.  A.  C.  Dixon  2 

Foreign  Missions  of  Southern  Baptists, 

Rev.  T.  P.  Bell .free 

Missions  to  the  Colored  People,  1.  T.  Tichenor. . . .2 
Need  of  Increased  Interest  in  Missions, 

Rev.  A.  J.  Rowland,  D.  D 2 

China,  the  World’s  Great  Mission  Field, 

Rev.  John  Pollard,  D.  D 2 

Joseph  Islands,  Apostle  of  the  Creek  Indians, 

Rev.  I.  T.  Tichenor,  D.  D 2 


Annual  Subscriptions  for  Quarterly  Missionary 
Programs,  with  accompanying  Leaflets,  will  be  re- 
ceived at  the  Maryland  Baptist  Mission  Room. 
Price  30  cts.  Programs  and  Leaflets  sent  quarterly. 


